• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2021

In this study, we built a mock-up of an indoor garden for private use and vertical gardens were installed on the walls of this indoor garden model. The purpose of this study is to examine the types of plants for best fit for growth and nurture in vertical garden and to identify the effects of indoor air quality improvement by these plants. As the result of the experiment, 22 species out of 32 species previously used for indoor garden was selected to be suitable for vertical gardens of a personal indoor garden. 10 species were found to be inappropriate for a personal indoor garden in terms of ornamental value, growth status and maintenance. The effect of plants on reducing CO2 has been proven by many studies. Also, through photosynthesis, plants combine CO2 with water and produce sugars and O2 (oxygen). Everyone accepts this fact. In nature, the production of oxygen is so important that without plants we would soon use it up and die. From the NASA Fact Sheet we know that air contains 20.95% O2 and 0.04% CO2. If you had enough plants in a room to use up all of the all of CO2 and convert it to oxygen, the oxygen levels would increase from 20.95% to 21%. This increase is difficult to detect and would have no effect on humans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.334-348
• /
• 2017

Objectives: We investigated the impacts of indoor plants on indoor air quality and occupational health, focusing on allergic rhinconjunctivitis and stress among employees in new office buildings. Methods: A total of 34 employees working at new public office buildings were enrolled as subjects (n=17, with indoor plants) and as a control (n=17) group. Before and after introducing indoor plants for three months, indoor air quality measurements including VOCs and aldehydes and questionnaires on sick building syndrome, AR symptoms (ARIA based), stress (DASS 42, KOSS, and SACL), and indoor characteristics were performed and statistically analysed. Results: Among the 34 enrolled subjects, 19 were included in the probable AR subject group (subjects with indoor plants, n=8, control n=11) and completed all questionnaires. Statistical analyses were done for total, AR subject groups, and controls. As a result, it was confirmed that major indoor air pollutants decreased after the introduction of indoor plants (p<0.5). Among major symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, watery rhinorrhea, nasal stuffiness, and nasal itching indexes decreased (p<0.5, respectively). A decrease was noted in some areas of work-related stress indexes (mainly KOSS) among the subject group (total and AR) and a decrease of indoor environmental attractiveness among the control group (total and AR) (p<0.5, for all). Conclusions: Indoor plants may help reduce indoor air pollutants and decrease AR symptoms and work-related stress of employees in newly built office buildings. Various further follow-up studies on the mechanism of environmental, physical, and emotional influences and utilization of indoor plants in association with allergic diseases will be needed.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.265-274
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between worker's ophthalmoxerosis symptom and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) variation after planting indoor plants at newly-built office building. Methods: We selected a new office building located in Sejong-si and occupants who work in the Office for study. The indoor air pollutant was investigated according to applying indoor plants. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: There was VOCs' reduction effect according to placing indoor plants because the concentration of VOCs in newly-built government office (Sejong-si) was highly decreased when the indoor plants was placed at the office. The occupants' SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score was gradually decreased in accordance with applying indoor plants. However, SBS symptoms score was increased when the office was not applied indoor plants. There was not statistical significance in workers' dry eye questionnaire results. Conclusions: There was reduction effect of indoor air pollutant in applied indoor plants office. Also, in case of questionnaire results of ophthalmoxerosis and SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score were showed positive effect. This study is needed longer-term study because of complements of difference of individual sensitivity and there are some limitations due to field survey research.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of aquatic plant as a botanical air purification on the indoor air pollution by formaldehyde. Three aquatic plants such as Eichhornia crassipes, Cyperus alternifolius, Echinodorus cordifolius, were selected for this study and they were placed in the artificially contaminated chamber under laboratory condition. The results showed that all three plants could remove the formaldehyde from the contaminated air system effectively. Reduction in the formaldehyde levels by Eichhornia crassipes, which is the floating plant, might be associated with the factors of plant and water. Reduction in the formaldehyde levels by Cyperus helferi and Echinodorus cordifolius, which were emergent plant, was due to the complex effect of plant, soil medium and water. In aquatic plant system, dissolution, microbial degradation in rhizosphere, uptake through root and shoot, sorption to soil and shoot, hydrolysis are known as the main mechanisms of water soluble pollutants in the given system. The advantages of indoor air quality control system using aquatic plants can be; 1) various purifying mechanisms than foliage plants, 2) effective for decontamination of water soluble pollutants; 3) easy for maintenance; 4) diverse application potential. Therefore it was suggested from the results that indoor air control system of aquatic plants should be more effective for reduction of indoor air pollutants.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.25-30
• /
• 2008

This study aims at examining the reduction of indoor air contaminants by plants placed in an indoor space. The effect of reducing the concentration of air contaminants by three species of plants was studied in a full-scale mock-up model. Field measurements were performed using Aglaonema brevispathum, Pachira aquatica and Ficus benjamiana which were verified as air-purifying plants by NASA. Their positions and amount were controlled. Two conditions for the amount of plants(10%, 5%) and positions(sun-shine, scatter) were used in two separate rooms whose dimensions are identical. The concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) was monitored three hours after the plants were placed and three days after the plants were placed. The variations of concentration of Benzene, Toluene, Etylbenzene, Xylene, Stylene and Formaldehyde, which are all known as the major elements of Volatile Organic Compounds were monitored. The more plants were used, the more a reduction of indoor air contaminants occurred. The effect of reducing the concentration of air contaminants increased when the amount of plants increased.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.59-64
• /
• 2008

This research was performed to activate various new technology for indoor container, and attempt to a desirable planting environment of indoor plant by verify effect that indoor container slit ventilation system gets in growth and root activation of Korea Native Plants. Main result is as following. 1. Davallia mariesii, typical epiphyte fern, was appeared that growth of top and root activation was helped by slit ventilation system in indoor container and were very positive in rhizome development specially. 2. Hedera rhombea was helped growth of top by slit ventilation system, and specially, effect of plant height and number of shoot. Also, this slit system was positive in root activation. So, this indoor container appeared by thing which is very desirable in climbing plants as well as epiphyte plants. According to result that see effect getting in growth and root activation of Davallia mariesii and Hedera rhombea for indoor container slit ventilation system, Growth of top was different in plant but root activation was developed.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.445-460
• /
• 2018

Exposure to indoor air pollution is an emerging world-wide problem, with growing evidence that it is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Whilst most indoor air pollutants are of outdoor origin, these combine with a range of indoor sourced pollutants that may lead to high pollutant levels indoors. The pollutants of greatest concern are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM), both of which are associated with a range of serious health problems. Whilst current buildings usually use ventilation with outdoor air to remove these pollutants, botanical systems are gaining recognition as an effective alternative. Whilst many years research has shown that traditional potted plants and their substrates are capable of removing VOCs effectively, they are inefficient at removing PM, and are limited in their pollutant removal rates by the need for pollutants to diffuse to the active pollutant removal components of these systems. Active botanical biofiltration, using green wall systems combined with mechanical fans to increase pollutant exposure to the plants and substrate, show greatly increased rates of pollutant removal for both VOCs, PM and also carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). A developing body of research indicates that these systems can outperform existing technologies for indoor air pollutant removal, although further research is required before their use will become widespread. Whilst it is known that plant species selection and substrate characteristics can affect the performance of active botanical systems, optimal characteristics are yet to be identified. Once this research has been completed, it is proposed that active botanical biofiltration will provide a cheap and low energy use alternative to mechanical ventilations systems for the maintenance of indoor environmental quality.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.179-189
• /
• 2020

In order to increase the indoor air purification effect of plants, plants need to be placed on 5-10% of indoor spaces. To increase the density and utilization of plants in indoor spaces, studies on bio-wall, a vertical green wall system, have been recently conducted. The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth characteristics of 7 indoor plants introduced to the system and their rooting zones at different irrigation cycles. This study was conducted to investigate a proper irrigation cycle for the continuous maintenance of bio-wall systems. The conditions of their growth environment were maintained as follows: light intensity, 20-50 μmol·m^-2·s^-1 PPFD; and temperature, 20 - 25℃. For fertilization, Hyponex diluted with water at the ratio of 1:1,000 was supplied to plants. Irrigation was treated at intervals of 1, 3, 5, and 7 days for 1 hour at a time. As a result, there was no significant difference in the growth of plants between different irrigation cycles. Dieffenbachia 'Marianne' showed a significant decrease in the number of leaves at the irrigation cycle of 7 days. In addition, the chlorophyll content was relatively low at the irrigation cycle of 7 days. In terms of the color of leaves, a decrease in L value and b value and an increase in a value were observed, resulting in changes in brightness and color. Ardisia pusilla 'Variegata' showed a slightly higher photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance when it was watered every day and once per 5 days, while Epipremnum aureum showed a relatively higher photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance at the irrigation cycle of 3 days. In the case of root activity, it was found that the longer irrigation cycle, the higher root activity compared to daily irrigation. The development of roots of Peperomia clusiifolia was promoted by watering at long intervals. However, in the case of Aglaonema 'Siam-Aurora', the total number of roots decreased at the interval of 7 days. In conclusion, a proper irrigation cycle for the sustainable maintenance of vertical bio-wall systems seems to be 3 days.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.417-423
• /
• 2006

The purification ability of indoor plants for volatile organic compounds was investigated. Philodendron selloum and Spathiphyllum sp. were tested for removal of toluene and trichloroethylene in the artificially contaminated reactor under laboratory conditions. Each plant was placed in right side of the reactor and the TCE and toluene concentration change with time were monitored. In the reactor with Philodendron, the TCE concentrations of left and right sides were compared to examine the removal effects by plant. In the reactor with Spathiphyllum, air was circulated before sampling, and thus average removal effects by plants on target VOC were observed. Both plants showed clear effects on removal of VOCs from contaminated indoor air. The removal efficiency of Philodendron and Spathiphyllum were similar and showed 30 - 46% and 31 - 47% of purification effects, respectively. The results of this study showed that air purification using plants is an effective means of reduction on indoor VOCs concentration level and reduce related health risk though, supplementary purifying aids or proper ventilation were also suggested.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.377-380
• /
• 1998

In order to investigate the effects of foliage plants on the changes of indoor thermal- and hygro- environments, experiments were carried out in two rooms with similar physical factors. Changes of indoor environmental parameters according to the existence of plants, their arrangement methods, and the existence of wrapseal for protecting the loss of water from the pot soil were measured during certain periods in winter and summer season, using Pachira aquatica which is widely used as indoor plant and has higher photosynthetic and traspiration rate than other foliage plants. The data suggested that the existence of plants didn't affect directly on the indoor thermal environment, while relative humidity increased about 3~5%, regardless of season, by putting plants which had volume equivalent to 2.4% of room volume. In summer, there was no difference in increasing effect of relative humidity between parallel arrangement with window and spread arrangement in the room, but in winter the former arrangement was more effective than the later.